I attended the panel: "Documenting 9/11 Approaches and Challenges" moderated by Joy Kestenbaum and Claudia Hill. It was an awesome panel! Afterwards, I had dinner with Joy at the little deli next to the Roosevelt Hotel and suggested she and Claudia publish a book on the topic--it needs to be shared with the world. She told me they intended to publish a bibliography--a bibliography, I asked? What for, so a future doctoral student can write a book with it? I also suggested they at least write an article for Arts Documentation.

Okay, this is my first post from New York City. I'm on an computer terminal at the International Center for Photography, 1114 Ave of the Americas in Midtown Manhattan. Last night I was here for an opening of a photography exhibit titled "The Image-World," curated by Benard Yenelouis, April 16-June 11, 2004. Bernie teaches at ICP--he's a really bright guy--knows his photo history. It's an great exhibit. D. gave me a tour of the facilities (Library, darkrooms, digitization area, education area, etc.) -- nice. Earlier, I talked with Buzz H., ICP Director. I took his photograph in his office with a disposable camera.

Hmm, how am I enjoying New York. It's nice, different, interesting, a lot of people walking the streets. I'm staying at the Vanderbilt Y--all I can say is sparse conditions, many students, people from around the world but it's inexpensive. It will do for a few nights. Unfortunately, last evening after I arrived, I hoofed it from the Vanderbilt to ICP--the person at the desk told it was a few blocks away--in NYC, a few blocks could literally mean a mile or so. Right now it hurts, something awful, but hey--that's life. Last night I wanted to go out and get a sense of the NY nightlife but I was worn out and decided to sleep instead.

Spent my morning attending a workshop on Early Christian and Medieval Resources at the New York Public Library. Good introduction to the Index of Christian Art. Had hoped to go to several museums this afternoon but maybe it may be better to go back to the Y and rest before tonight's cocktail reception from 6-8 p.m. at the Roosevelt.

Checked my e-mail. Photographer Joseph R. sent me his cell number--I'd like to interview him--I'm writing an article on a Tucson-based photographer--I'd like to compare it to Joseph R.'s work. Joseph has a new book out--he's doing a signing at ICP on Saturday. D. also told me about a party in Brooklyn at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Rodriguez may be there--maybe I can interview him there--it not, later via phone, will work.

This week, a student designer visiting from New Mexico State University, was engaged in research on photographers who use "low tech" in creating their work. I invited him and his wife to my office to show him where and how he could search for information on his topic.

I then posted the question on PHOTO-LIBS and asked list members whether they knew of other photographers who have created works using "low tech" means. I received a fine response from Bernard Yenelouis, photographer and scholar from the International Center for Photography. Bernard sent me a rich analysis of photographers throughout history who have used "low tech" techniques to create their work. Deirdre Donohue, the Librarian at ICP, forwarded the question to him and I'm glad she did. Dierdre is another person whom I have not met in person but we have worked together to organize a tour of the ICP for Photography Librarians and other interested individuals attending this year's conference. She's great!

I've sent the responses I received to the student and he was very thankful. He also wants to interview me for his paper. :-)

I'm reading an interesting article titled: "The Weariness of the Flesh, Reflections on the Life of the Mind in an Era of Abundance," by Paul B. Gandel, Richard N. Katz, and Susan E. Metros in the EDUCAUSE Review (March/Aprl 2004, pp. 40-51). The article describes how information has gone from a stage of scarcity to now an era of abundance and in the future it stands to go to a state of "nearly unimaginable abundance" and how the work of librarians needs to change to accommodate these changes. It includes some fascinating comments on "encouraging the development of personal digital repositories" that "would require a change in our strategic focus."